LePage touts education, energy plans in address

Republican governor delivers his second State of the State address

Gov. Paul LePage says his own homeless youth underscores his devotion to education as he made a case for expanding education opportunities in his State of the State address.

"No one governor, or one party, is going to move this state forward. It takes all of us," he said.

In Tuesday's speech to the Legislature and a radio and television audience, he proposes more choice for all students, not just the wealthy.

LePage says finding his next meal and a warm spot to sleep were his goals as an impoverished youth in Lewiston. But he knew education was the key to climbing out of poverty.

LePage said the state needs to focus on bringing in more new jobs.

"Job creators don't look at all 50 states; they look at the top 10, and we're not there. So we can deny it, we can keep our head in the sand, but guess what? We don't change reality," he said.

Maine Senate Majority Leader Seth Berry said the governor's numbers do not add up when it comes to unemployment and tax cuts.

"We have more families living in poverty now than when he took office. We've lost more jobs on his watch. There's 50,000 people who are out of work. We're dead last on personal income growth," Berry said.

LePage also proposes to lower Mainers' energy bills by easing access to cheap Canadian hydropower and trimming regulations for natural gas infrastructure.

He also wants to repay hospitals $484 million in Medicaid debts and proposes measures keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

Democrats said they agree it is time to make bold action to change Maine for the better, but they said they do not see how LePage's proposed changes will work unless he is honest about what is really happening with the state.

"We continue to accept the status quos, or we can make the tough decisions, roll up our sleeves and together make the tough decisions to make Maine a better place," LePage said.

Senate and House republicans said they believe in what the governor has to offer.

"June is going to be a very tough month: it's when we're going to get down to the nitty gritty of trying to balance this budget. It's going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of give and take, but hopefully we can all be adults, sit down at the table and get the job done for the people of Maine," Maine House Minority Leader Ken Fredette said.

Democrats said they have high hopes for the upcoming session because Mainers are depending on them to make big changes.

"We know the biggest issues of our state require both parties to be involved in. We know to pass budgets, to pass bonds, we're going to need republican support," Maine Senate President Justin Alfond said.

"I'm urging this body to think of Maine families, not the special interests," LePage said Tuesday.

Democrats said they wish LePage had spoken about wanting to work together two months ago, but they do expect this to be a very productive session.

Republicans said being in the minority will make fighting for certain beliefs harder, but know the only answer is working together.

LePage met with Democrats on Monday after weeks of contentious public statements from both sides about the relationship the governor has with the legislative majority.

In advance of the governor’s address, Democratic Speaker of the House Mark Eves released a YouTube video in which he said, “If we are to truly strengthen our state’s economy, we need leaders who believe in Maine, trumpet our success and herald our state.”

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